Brent Poppen
Paralympian 2008
Athlete Bio#
Hometown
Paso Robles
In 1991, Brent Poppen got into a wrestling accident at a church camp. A spinal cord injury ended his hopes of continuing his collegiate athletic career, but he soon found solace in wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis. A two sport Paralympic athlete, Poppen won a bronze medal in Wheelchair Rugby at the 2004 Games in Athens and competed in wheelchair tennis in Beijing.
As a current member of the Rugby National High Performance Program, Poppen continues encourage others through motivational speaking and by using his accomplishments towards his work in a foundation to help others with disabilities.
Poppen works as a substitute teacher and when not training or competing, enjoys speaking to kids, water skiing and spending time with his family.
Major Achievements:
- 2008: U.S. Paralympic Team member, Wheelchair Tennis - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
- 2008: Tennis World Cup Team Member
- 2008: Australian Open Semi-Finalist
- 2007: First place - Canadian Open
- 2007: Gold medal - World Team Cup
- 2007: Doubles Champion - Japan Open Tennis Championships
- 2006: National Quad Rugby Champion
- 2004: Bronze medal, Wheelchair Rugby - Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
- 2003: Silver medal - Wheelchair Rugby World Games
- 1998: National Quad Rugby Champion
- 1997: National Quad Rugby Champion
- 1996: National Quad Rugby Champion